Understanding Food Allergies |
Remember that your Doctor or Healthcare Professional is the best person to consult about any Food Intolerance or Food Allergy. The information given below is offered for interest only and is NOT medical or professional advice.
| FAQ |
Aspects |
Answers |
Comments |
| How common are Food Allergies? |
Occurrence |
It is estimated that around 3% of children and about 1% of adults have some kind of food allergy. Often the allergens are in eggs, milk, nuts, soy, wheat, corn, fish and shellfish. They can also be found in food additives like colours and preservatives. |
Because of their sudden onset and the severity of symptoms, food allergies are usually detected in very young children. |
| What are the symptoms of Food Allergies? |
Symptoms |
Food allergy symptoms are typically SUDDEN ONSET AND SEVERE. They can be ear, nose, throat and respiratory problems like nasal congestion and asthma, skin problems like hives or rashes and gastro-intestinal disorders like nausea and vomiting. In a few cases a life-threatening Anaphylactic shock can be caused. Check the Symptoms Matrix. |
Respiratory and skin reactions happen rather quickly (within minutes) while gastro-intestinal symptoms can take longer. |
| How are Food Allergies identified? |
Diagnosis |
Food allergies are an autoimmune response caused by the body ‘misreading’ a food protein as an enemy or toxic substance. Because they are fairly dramatic, allergic responses are usually easily identified. Blood tests, “patch testing” or an Elimination Diet can achieve proper identification. |
Delayed reactions: Sometimes the allergic reactions caused by foods are delayed for hours or even days, making the diagnosis of Food Allergy difficult. Symptoms then continue into adulthood without being properly addressed. |
| How did I get a Food Allergy? |
Causation |
Frequently when a child is allergic, there are family members with allergies. That is, a tendency for allergies can be passed on. Others develop allergies with no apparent genetic background. |
Allergies manifest differently in different people. Where a parent for instance experiences eczema, the child might suffer from asthma and in response to different allergens. |
| How are Food Allergies treated? |
Treatment |
Treatment is generally one of three approaches: largely it involves avoidance of the allergen whenever possible; treatment and management of symptoms; or auto-immune therapy – injections of extracts of the allergen to try and de-sensitise the individual. The Anaphylactic shock response requires an emergency treatment – usually an injection of adrenaline to ensure breathing is maintained. |
For Food Allergies, avoidance is the best option once the offending food has been identified. |
| When will I be cured from Food Allergies? |
Prognosis |
Allergy must be viewed as a Chronic Disease and therefore must be rigourously managed. Keeping children as symptom-free as possible ensures that the impact of subsequent disorders is minimised. Developmental problems linked to respiratory symptoms of allergies include physical, behavioural and cognitive impairment. |
Most allergies are for life, though the severity of reactions can fluctuate according to other factors like illness and stress. |
If you have a Food Allergy, chances are you were diagnosed in early childhood and have avoided the offending food ever since.
However, suffering from allergies can mask other symptoms. It is therefore very important to relieve the symptoms of allergies so that a healthy lifestyle can be enjoyed and so that other disorders can be easily identified.
Imagine if measles were confused with an allergic rash, or breathlessness caused by blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism) was misread as an allergic symptom in an allergic patient?
By correctly identifying allergens and keeping the symptoms under control the person is much more likely to be diagnosed quickly and correctly when other ailments arise.
In addition, keeping symptoms under control allows children to participate in playtime and sports – an important activity for early childhood learning and social skills.
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More information
Symptoms Matrix (must register first)
The Food Intolerance Healing Program.
References
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